An engineering firm boss is now taking the lead at South Staffordshire College.

Steve Burgin began his electrical engineering career as a GEC apprentice in Stafford in 1975 and went on to become country president of Alstom and vice president of GE Power in Europe, as well as Pro Chancellor of Staffordshire University where he gained his electrical engineering degree.

He is currently interim chair of University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust and has also been appointed Chair of Governors at South Staffordshire College, which has a campus near Penkridge.

Stoke on Trent-born Mr Burgin succeeds Councillor Ray Faulkner as he steps down to take the Vice Chair position after almost nine years in post.

He said: “The college is indebted to Councillor Ray Faulkner for all his hard work over the last nine years.

“Having grown up and brought my own family up in Staffordshire it is a real honour to be appointed as chair. South Staffordshire College is at the heart of education in the area, with thousands of learners receiving high quality education that enable them to shape their future careers.

“I want to ensure that the college is well-placed to combine technology with excellent teaching practices, in order to maintain its outstanding record of employability for college graduates.”

Mr Burgin will be joined on the board by new recruits Phil Tapp, headteacher of Wolgarston High School in Penkridge, and Vicki Mackintosh, who is head of ports business services at Associated British Ports.

South Staffordshire College’s chief executive principal Graham Morley said: “The appointment of Steve Burgin is a very exciting one for the college. Steve has a proven track record of highly effective board leadership.

“His experience in the energy sector will further improve our excellent employer relations. Along with the new governors Phil Tapp and Vicki Mackintosh, the college has a really strong balance of experience in both education and industry on its board.

“The appointment of a new chair of governors is part of the long-term strategy of the college with changes in its senior leadership team. As I approach the end of my own tenure in post, the college will also be looking to appoint my successor, and that individual will have the unique opportunity to select his or her own deputy, as we are very proud to announce that current deputy chief principal Rob Boucherat will next year be moving to KPMG to head its national Apprenticeship programme.

“Rob’s achievement reflects extremely well on us all at South Staffordshire College and we wish him every success with his new nationwide role.”